Ruth George launches petition to save Serpentine Community Farm

High Peak MP Ruth George has launched a parliamentary petition to save Serpentine Community Farm in Buxton.

High Peak Borough Council have asked the volunteers who have worked to build up the farm from scrubland to vacate it so that the site can be developed.

Ruth braved Sunday’s wintry conditions to call in to meet Madeline Hall and fellow volunteers at the Winter Gathering of Serpentine Community Farm.

“To suggest moving what has so quickly become an established part of the Buxton life to another area of the town makes no sense at all. It is in the perfect place, easily accessible to all has built productive partnerships with a number of local groups,” she said.

The site is also part of the picturesque Serpentine walk, enjoyed by thousands of local people and tourists too. Now that it is part of the High Peak Circular Walk it is even more important to keep this conservation area special.

“After all the work that the volunteers have done, it is not right to ask them to move. I have often passed the farm in the beautiful walk along the Serpentine, but Sunday was the first time I had visited. It is much bigger than I had imagined – and the amount of work the volunteers have done is incredible. I never expected to see kiwi fruit growing in Buxton in the middle of a snow storm!”

“I have offered to help in any way I can, and am pleased to launch a petition to present to Parliament.

“The site is very much a part of the community so I hope that their application for it to be registered as an Asset of Community Value will also be successful.”

Ruth’s petition calls for High Peak Borough Council to grant the farm a long lease and not sold off for housing.

Petitions to Parliament have to be on paper rather than online. You can sign Ruth’s petition at Serpentine Community Farm or at Ruth’s office at the foot of Station Approach: